Place
Overview
If you like your rewards hard-earned, Lane Cove Trail delivers. This is a 13.4-mile total out-and-back that peels off the Greenstone Ridge Trail and plummets toward Lake Superior, then makes you pay it back on the return. It’s hike-in only—after you reach Isle Royale by boat or seaplane—so you’re committing to a true backcountry day or an overnight at the shoreline campground.
What You’ll See
The route tumbles from ridge-top forest through mixed hardwoods and boreal pockets, across cedar swamps and short boardwalks, and out to the rocky north-shore edge of the island. Lane Cove Campground sits right on the water with wide-open views—sunsets here have a reputation, and it’s deserved. On clear days you can even pick out Thunder Bay across the lake. Expect the calls of loons at dusk and a calm, end-of-the-world vibe along the cove.
Trail Experience
The descent is long and steep, which makes the climb back a real grinder—pack light and budget energy for the return. The footpath is classic Isle Royale: roots, rock steps, and uneven tread through wet zones and outcrops. You’ll likely see few people on the trail itself, but the small shoreline campground can fill quickly in peak season. There are tent sites and pit toilets, no shelters. Water comes from Lake Superior—treat or filter it. Camp stoves only; fires aren’t allowed here. Boat-in access is possible for the campground, and hikers have reported solid cell coverage in the area for Verizon users, which is a nice surprise this far out.
Best Time to Hike
June through August is the sweet spot: drier trail, manageable bugs, long evenings for those famous sunsets. Spring and fall can gift you solitude and fewer insects, but expect muddier tread and more variable, sometimes raw, weather. Aim for a clear afternoon if photography is your thing; the westering light across the cove is the show.
Tips
- Pace yourself on the climb back to Greenstone Ridge—it’s the crux of the day.
- Arrive early to claim a campsite or carry a backup plan if it’s full.
- Treat all water from the lake, and bring a reliable stove—no fires here.
- Keep an ear out for loons at twilight; moose are possible, though less common right on the cove.
Pros
- Spectacular sunset vantage right on Lake Superior
- Low-traffic trail with a good chance of solitude
Cons
- Brutal return climb from the cove to Greenstone Ridge
- Limited, no-shelter campsites that can fill quickly
Parking
No parking—Isle Royale is car-free. Reach the island by boat or seaplane, then hike via Greenstone Ridge to the Lane Cove Trail.
Caution
Steep descent/ascent with uneven, sometimes wet tread; remote setting; no fires; treat lake water; limited first-come campsites can be full—carry a backup plan.
